His desire was to make His Name known. Having a rough start in life due to the death of his father, he settled in Canada but never forgot his native land. Consumed by the desire to spread the word of God and help the Romanian people, the Speranța Mission began. At the age of 33, he tragically died, but he left behind a legacy, the beginning of something greater that would be continued by his younger brother…
Marius Gorceawas born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania on December 27, 1970, into a family of Pentecostal believers, being the second child of the Gorceafamily. It could be said that he was part of a family of working people, a balanced family. His father, IoanGorcea, was employed as a mechanic at CFR, he was from Cluj, he grew up and lived in Someseni-at that time, a commune located 1 km from ClujNapoca. The mother, VoichitaGorcea, was from Maramures, and after marriage she worked for a long time as a foreman technician in agriculture.
Marius Gorceaspent his childhood until the age of 5 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. When he was 5 years old, his father died due to heart problems. From this moment, important changes took place in the childhood of Marius and the other two brothers, Sorinand Gabi. First of all, more than a year after the tragic event, VoichitaGorcearemarried VasileVanciuand moved to Ulmeni, Maramures. Marius lived and lived in this locality until he was 20 years old. He also graduated from school here. When he was 14 years old, Marius had the opportunity to meet a group of young people from BaiaMare -with whom he became very close. Together with this group, Marius started going on missions. The leader of the youth groupwas IosifPurcar. When he was 16 years old, Marius started learning the guitar, and this fact made him more excited in his work. This was also themoment when he made his first compositions, respectively, when he was 17 years old he composed his first 2 songs. Later, he would declare that the person who encouraged and motivated him for the mission was his mother. VoichitaGorceahad a special role in training Marius for missionary work.
On November 27, 1990, Marius left for Canada together with Gabriel Gorcea, his brother. In these circumstances, Marius, together with Gabriel, began to develop a bigger and more concrete vision for Romania.
Missionary ideas were realized, among others, in the founding of the SPERANTA musical group. In 1993, the first album of the SPERANTA group was released. All the compositions present on this album belonged to Marius Gorcea. This was the occasion that allowed the organization of the first missionary tour in Romania in 1994. In fact, the first tournament organized in Romania was based on charity, a 2 t container loaded with aid being brought to Romania. This help was possible thanks to the support given by the Romanian churches in Canada and the USA, and the transport was paid from the funds resulting from the sales of the first album.
At the moment when they returned to Canada, in the minds of Marius and Gabriel Gorcea, the voices of the people who asked them if and when they would return again… This moment was decisive for Marius’s vision regarding the following tournaments. Together with Gabriel, in 1994 they founded the SPERANTA studio, and later developed an important activity in the field of Romanian Christian music. The purpose and objectives of the studio were not aimed at commercial interests. STUDIO SPERANTA was established specifically to support the mission work in Romania. The funds obtained from the sale of the albums were intended to support missionary projects.
In 1995, during a tour in Australia, Marius Gorceamet Marcela -the one who would become his wife 2 years later. On December 14, 1997, Marius and Marcela got married, and from that moment on, Marius Gorcealived in Australia. Also since 1997, Marius Gorceahad the certainty that he was called to work for Romania and, in particular, for the salvation of Romanians. He became more andmore sure of the mission that was entrusted to him, and during the subsequent tours, he sought to focus on helping needy families in Romania, but especially on bringing the Salvation of Jesus to the Romanians.
His life was therefore divided between family responsibilities and mission responsibilities. Every year, he worked for 6 months to ensure a source of income for the family, and for 6 months he was together with Marcela, Gabriel and GenovevaGorceaon a mission -either in the Romanian diaspora to raise the necessary funds for evangelization and aid, or in Romania with occasion of missionary tours.
Between 1994-2003, SPERANTA was involved in tours held in 30 countries. Marius Gorcea’svision in the work concerned the impact of the messages transmitted through Christian music, but also the proclamation of the Gospel through all favorable means. Marius was convinced that through music, people can be close to God,and through the Gospel, they can be brought into the presence of God.
Based on this vision, the HOPE MISSION has developed more and more over the years, currently having partners, collaborators and volunteers who have joined together with HOPE to carry out the missionary projects initiated both in Romania and in other countries.
At the beginning of December 2003, Marius Gorceawas thinking about a different missionary project, oriented towards Africa. He intends to visit Namibia -a country in South-West Africa -in April 2004, together with a team of 10 people. Among the tribes still existing in this region, Marius Gorceawanted to take the Gospel and contribute directly to the salvation of those people. Unfortunately, the tragic accident that happened on December 26, 2003 put an end to this bold vision. God appreciated that Marius finished his work. His mission remains, this time, in the hands of those who were with him and supported him. Hope Mission will continue to get involved for the salvation of people and the glorification of the One who is Sovereign over all.
The legal definition of a charitable organization varies between countries and in some instances regions of the country.